Time to move on...

Some big changes have happened at the Alcocer house. Right now Oz is living in Naperville, Il and the boys and I are soon to follow.
We were hoping to sell our home and then join him but the market seems so terribly slow right now we've decided to move into his temporary apartment so we can all be together. Luckily his company is willing to pay for us to live there for up to 6 months and I hope by that point our home is sold and we've purchased another one. We will all learn to live a little closer in the coming months, it's just a 2 bedroom so Gabe will actually sleep in our walk in closet and Nico will get the spare room. Putting them together would be a nightmare so I'm avoiding that if at all possible.
Nico seems super excited for the changes ahead, I moved to Naperville the first time when I was just a little bit older than him. It's a wonderful place to raise a family and I think both boys will thrive.
I feel so bad taking him out of his school here, I remember all to well how hard it is to say goodbye to everything you know and turn towards something you know nothing about. I just hope in the near future he finds great friends in the windy city and we look at this as a great adventure for our family.
I'm super excited about the preschool he'll be going to there. It is connected to a full professional gymnasium so for PE he will get to go there. They have science experiments each week in a science lab and even have a full computer lab that they go to each day. The classrooms are full of color and imagination, one room has a full castle for the kids to climb in. I couldn't get over all they offered the kids, I actually got a little teary looking online at how perfect it seemed for Nicolas.
I will try to update on the blog with the changes ahead. Right now we are looking at moving November 19th.

Happy Birthday Gabriel!

We did a milk and cookie party for Gabriel, my mom brought cupcakes made from a local cupcake business near her and we all made a ton of cookies for the party. I served milk to drink along with lunch for everyone.
Gabriel, I can't even believe you are already one!
Here's your stats:
22.5 pds
30cm tall
Walking trying to run
Climbing everything
Waving Hi
Clapping your hands
You say Heyyyy
You love to walk all over the house with a toy golf club
Sleep like a champ
Love your one day a week at Moms Morning Out, (so do I)
You're a free bird! Always roaming around doing your own thing
Loves to throw a ball or take a walk around the yard.

11 Months

In the home stretch for your first birthday, I truly can't believe it. Time moves at an unfair pace sometimes.

Over the past month your love for bouncy balls and grown, you will sit and throw a ball forever with anyone willing to play, if nobody is available you'll throw it and crawl over to it and throw again all around the house.
You definitely know what you want and expect to get it or have a little temper when you can't.

Your face lights up each morning I come to get you, I don't know if you're happy to see me or your yougart drink that I religiously carry in with me.

You sleep great for naps and at night with the occasional upset that will have you up at night crying, we still haven't found what works best for you those evenings. I know you would loved to be rocked all night but we've tried to limit that for your own benefit. One night you ended up sleeping with us for a little bit, I'll never forget the droll rolling down my cheek from your little teething mouth. Though cosleeping is not something we will do much in this house, that little bit you were with us was really special to me.

I won't soon forget all the ups and downs we've had this first year, looking back we've laughed with you and at you more than we've cried. You're brother is really starting to see you as a potential playmate instead of a pest, watching that love grow has been so wonderful and watching you grow from a little bitty baby to a toddler has been amazing! We love you Gabriel!

New photos

Gabriel is working on some new teeth! Wonder if that is why he decided to cry for HOURS last night?? We caved in and brought him to bed from about 3 to 4 when we decided as cute as he was cuddled next to us, we weren't sleeping still so after he was totally asleep, we took him back to his crib. Hope tonight is a little better!!

The other pics are of Papa and Nico getting ready for their "bike drive" as Nico puts is. After they went, Oz took Gabe and Nico rode his own bike for a mini bike ride. Nico fell twice, came home a little bloody but is ready to try again :)

Too Much!

Working 5 days was too much for me and the boys, we decided that at this point in their lives, I need to be home with them.

Off to Work, Off to School

I guess I have the best of both worlds now. Starting tomorrow I'll be the preK teacher at the same school Nico goes to. Now both boys will attend there 5 days a week while I work there as well.
I'm super nervous about my clingy baby being willing to go to the nursery everyday. Also worried to death about all the germs that Gabriel will likely catch and be sick from.
The great part though is I get to work part time, see my children while I do, and earn a little fun money.
First thing first, here comes a maid! I wouldn't care if more than half my pay just went to that alone!

Cupcakes

I found a new dessert store on the way to preschool. I decided to stop the fist day of school as a treat to Nico, well now he wants to go every time we pass it...
Today he was asking again so I decided we could go there this one time, he picked out a huge lemon cupcake full of icing with a candy on top.
Once we got home he let Gabriel have some, must have been so good he decided to smear it all over his face!
Then when Nico got up from the table the dogs jumped up at got the cupcake and finished it off much to his dismay!
Must have been good, I'll never know since I didn't get the chance to take a bite! I'll let the boys faces me the decision maker!

First Day of Preschool 2010

Great first day of school! He jumped right out of the car to go and was just as eager to jump right back in. He got a different teacher than all of his buddies from last year so I was a little worried. I guess he is seeing them though at the playground and during music and chapel time so it's working out fine.
Nico told me the teacher told him to sit still, shocker!
He also said he had fun and would like to do it again sometime, glad he still loves school!

Point Mallard

Papa took the day off work so we could head over to point mallard water park with the boys. Nico LOVED the wave pool and Gabriel was content doing whatever. He really enjoyed the swings on the water. Nico went down some of the kiddie slides and at one point we all hopped in the river except that ended up being way too hot! The temp outside that day felt like 110!

10 Months!

Time marches on once again, Happy 10 Months Gabriel!
I'm seeing fast that the baby is slowly disappearing and a little toddler is starting to form. It makes me sad and happy all wrapped into one watching him grow.
He loves songs with hand motions, Loves books at bedtime, He is very much into his own thing, often crawling around the house exploring with frequent check in's from Mommy to make sure he's not into something he shouldn't be in.
I've enjoyed these past few months so much, they change so fast it's incredible. I could hold on to this age longer for sure!

Pants are dry!!

Nico was able to keep his pants dry all week at night, I'm starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel for future pull up purchases or lack of future pull up purchases I should say!

As a reward, he went to Sutherland Station, his absolute favorite toy store, to watch the train display and pick out a new train for his collection. Our only problem is he's already asking to go back for another train if he keeps his pants dry again next week, this could really be bad to the budget, Thomas trains are not cheap! Maybe the pull ups weren't so bad after all...

Ring Walker

One thing I'll really remember when I look back at Gabriel as a growing baby are some of the funny little things he did.
One that stands out among others are the rings he uses on a daily bases for crawling. Each morning, he goes in the family room, takes 2 rings off the stacker toy and uses them almost like a walker or canes. I'm guessing they protect his hands from hurting or help him crawl faster, I don't know for sure but I will never forget the "click, click" I hear all over the house from Gabriel and his rings!

4th

We made our yearly trip up to Virginia for the 4th of July, it's always so special to get the whole family together for a week. Everyone lives so spread out that this has become our week to see each other.

Gabriel did great for his first big 9 hour car ride, only cried a little when he got super tired. Of course both boys didn't hardly sleep a wink the whole ride. Thank goodness for dvd players!

Nico LOVED playing with his older cousins, they were basically at his beck and call for whatever he wanted to do. It was so sad for him to leave to go back home, he said "Mommy, I stay in my room and Jessica (his cousin) stays in her room, we can't leave"

9 months and counting!

Seems like I was just writing this for last month and here I am again!

At 9 months:
Crawl so fast I can't even keep up with you!
Walk around furniture but not without holding on yet
Can stand sometimes without holding on
Loves to open and close doors which causes fingers to get smashed which you don't love
Pulls to a stand on everything
Eating solids table food better than last month
Spitting up WAY less, almost not at all anymore, yea!!!!
Says Dada when crawling around happy, says Mama when you can't find me or you're upset
Sleeps well at night still with the occasional "Gabriel Shout out" but now you get yourself back to sleep without me coming to the rescue 9 times out of 10.
Loves getting into Nico's trains
Does Itsy Bitsy Spider and So Big!
Responds well to no but you are very sensitive if I say it too harshly which makes you cry, like when you bite me!
Happy with the world and the best sport with being taken all over for Nico's activities.

Brittish Soccer Camp

Nico had his first ever soccer camp this week. It's been SO HOT, highs reaching over 100 making it a very warm and muggy camp...
He seems to be enjoying it although I did have to ask him to stop calling his coach Sir Topham Hat! I guess the accent reminds him of Thomas and Friends. Nico goes at his own pace and doesn't really get bothered by what everyone else is doing. On the second day they were pretending to be a train kicking the soccer ball around the field, Nicolas was way behind the others with the assistant coach, he told him he wanted to be on the slow train and go very slow around the field; and that he did!
They also play a game where the coach pretends to be a sleeping giant and the kids have to go steal his treasure, he wakes up and chases them to get his treasure back, Nico picked up the treasure (a jersey) and when the giant chased him he threw the treasure back at him and went running scared :)

Sometimes you want to jump in and help; try to get your child to listen or do what the coach is asking, the hardest part is just sitting there and watching. I'm so glad he is having fun though!

Pictures

First French Fry, yummmmm
Boys being Silly!
First Sucker!

Tall

Nico went to a birthday party the other day for a 5 year old little boy and I noticed Nico was the same height as all the other older kids. He's only 3; I didn't realize how tall he is!
I think it makes it hard sometimes since he's still a little guy age wise and can't always keep up with the older kids that look like the same age as him.

First Tooth

Gabe finally managed to get a tooth! 8 months old and one bottom tooth so far, I think Nicolas had a few by this point.
He loves baby pick up foods like rice cakes and puffs but still gags at anything else that's considered table food. I hope he out grows that, it's frustrating since I'd love to buy less baby food jars now that he has mastered all of those. Well at least baby food travels well so if he is in kindergarten and still only will eat jarred baby food, I can always put those in his lunch :) Oh lets hope not!

Pool Day

I was a little nervous taking both boys to the pool by myself but it really wasn't too bad. They both enjoyed it, Nico more than Gabe but all in all a good day!

No Words Needed For This Picture...

8 Months

Gabriel turned 8 months this week. Time continues to march right on by without me knowing it!
Gabriel's milestones so far:
Pulls to a stand and is starting to walk around furniture
Crawls super fast now
Eats all stage 1 and 2 foods
Super happy baby and super active; and I thought Nicolas was active, whoa....

Pulling to a stand

Gabriel can now pull himself to a stand, we found him standing in his crib this morning, oh boy!

Porch

D-Daddy came to town to help build a new porch out back. Our old one was a little unusual and not well made from the person that lived here before us so we tore it down and started over. Nicolas LOVED helping Oz and D-Daddy build it!

My little waiter

Nico in his tux for the wedding coming up July in Mexico. I think he looks like a little waiter!

Happy 7 months!

Happy 7 months little Gabriel! You've done a lot of changing this past month. What a fun and totally crazy little boy you are becoming, I think you may become my handful! He is officially crawling like crazy and getting into everything he can get his hands on! Now he's moved onto his next trick of pulling to a standing position which is causing some falls and cries. This morning he woke up his normal happy self and played in the crib until I heard a loud BAM and then cries, he tried to pull up on his crib and must have hit his head. He's our daredevil for sure! And I thought Nico was a wild one!
He still LOVES baby food and eats well, notice the chunky baby pictures! He makes the most funny crazy noises I've ever heard a baby make and the funniest faces to go with them.

Boy time just continues to march on with a pace I just can't seem to keep up with! How are my 2 babies getting so big so fast?

Sickies

Nico woke up Saturday morning with a fever and complaining of a tummy ache. Oz tried to give him medicine for his stomach ache which made him get sick, he told me it made him hiccup. Since I wasn't sure if he had a tummy bug or not I gave him a bowl like my Mom use to give me when I was sick and told him to aim in that direction if he felt like he had to "hiccup" again.
It turned out all he had was a 24hour fever and nothing more but he wouldn't let go of his bowl, he carried it all day with him. Sometimes it held his blankets, sometimes crackers, at one point it was on his head I think!

Visit with Abue and Ita

Nico was super excited to have his Abue and Ita come for a quick visit last weekend. He had gotten his new bike the day the came and learned to use it with their help. He was sad to see them leave, he had his little suitcase to go with them.

Big Boys

Nico got his brand new bike in the mail last week from Franklin Goose, I still can't believe they were giving out so much credit for just writing reviews, I was able to get this bike for free! He LOVES it! I thought he may be too small still for a big boy bike but man I was wrong, he got the hang of it right away and now loves for me to push Gabe in the stroller while he bikes up ahead.

Gabriel's new love is crawling and getting into everything. I left him in the family room only to find him in the kitchen when I returned! He's much more mobile than Nico was at this age so I wasn't ready baby proofing the house yet, he'll let me know what still needs to be done I think...

Dinosaur 2000

Oh Nico, the things you say can crack me up these days.
I picked him up from school today and he handed me a small red plastic dinosaur that he got from the treasure box. He said it wasn't just any dinosaur, but a dinosaur 2000! Wow, that must be something super special.
We had to stop on the way home for another "milk Shape" from McDonalds, chocolate are his favorite. I love the things he says and how he says them, the one thing that I will take away from this age is the way he can make you laugh!

On a Gabe note, we tried switching him to normal formula since he'd been doing so well and spitting up less. As soon as we started he was back to spitting up more and today he would get fussy after eating so we are back to sensitive for a little bit longer if not he rest of his first year, the nurse said he should be fine by a year and go to milk fine, I hope so!

Botanical Gardens

Papa had the day off so we spent the morning at the Botanical Gardens looking at all the tree houses; what perfect weather!

Oh Nico....

Nico is normally the nicest little boy but we are well in the terrible 3's. They haven't been too bad actually but there are times I'm at a loss with him :) One thing is potty training which we've been done with for a long time. Now accidents are coming back and nothing seems to help prevent them. I've taken away trains, tv, but nothing works. As I remind myself daily, everything is just a stage :)

Here's some funny's from our little guy:
He told Oz, "whoa, Mommy is crazy, she's acting crazy, right Papa?" Hmmmm, don't know how I feel about that one. He also told me to be a good little girl before he got out of the car for school; that made me laugh.
The things he says can crack you up, and it's endless what comes from his mouth. Right now he tells me and Gabe, "oh kids....." and then sighs.
I'm enjoying his age even with the frustrations because there are enough times in each day that he makes me sit back and laugh.

Wonderful Spring Day!

So happy the warm weather is back in town! Nico and Gabe have had a blast playing outside, it's so nice just to get out.

First Train Ride!

Nico, his Papa, and a couple of friends all boarded the Peter Cottontail Express yesterday for a short train ride down the tracks and back. He loved it! Not so much interested in the Easter Bunny that came to visit during the ride but he loved the train ride itself and could have ridden it all day given the opportunity.
I was just so glad he was able to do this, I've wanted to take him on a train ride for so long. Thomas has always been a favorite of his.